It’s hard to imagine that time in 1712 — before there was a United States, before there was a state of New Jersey, before William Trent purchased a large parcel of property and Trent’s Town began to spring up.

Members of the congregation donned Colonial garments last week to take part in a service commemorating the establishment of the church and its first building at what is now the corner of Broad and State streets.

Late last year, they continued the tradition of participating in Patriots’ Week events. A prayer service preceded the re-enactment of the First Battle of Trenton. After the actual battle was over, a well-known casualty was carried to the church. The slain commander of the Hessian forces, Col. Gottleib Rall, was buried in the peaceful churchyard, where his grave remains.

Many other milestones illustrate the church’s progress through the years. Dignitaries have attended services there, and the building has been deemed a state and national landmark.

The church provides a fascinating timeline on its website, highlighting important dates and events, such as the January day in 1840 when the “new” building, still in use, was dedicated.

What is not so easily documented is what the church has meant to the community, how its place as a cornerstone of the city’s foundation has influenced Trenton and its citizens. Key to that comprehension is the church’s attention to the city’s immediate needs as well as its storied past. First Presbyterian is integral to the work of the Crisis Ministry of Trenton and Princeton. Since 2001, Crisis Ministry has operated a food pantry and counseling services for the homeless from the church campus.

“We feed, every Saturday morning, upward of 300 people breakfast, and offer a Bible study afterwards,” says the Rev. John Russell Allen, First Presbyterian’s pastor.

Another area congregation has reason to celebrate as well. Younger by nearly two centuries than First Presbyterian, the Bethany Chapel and Missionary Home in Hightstown has reopened its small chapel. The chapel, which fire gutted a decade ago, has been rededicated.

Now that the chapel has been restored, Bethany’s pastor, the Rev. Robert Turton, hopes to revive the church’s outreach to the homeless and displaced.

Along with all the other churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship, First Presbyterian and Bethany help us focus on the essential when perspectives are cloudy.